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The General Service Medal 1918-62 Obverse The General Service Medal 1918-62 Reverse

The General Service Medal 1918-62

Overview

Instituted in 1918, the General Service Medal (GSM) 1918-62 recognises service in minor Army and Air Force operations that did not warrant a separate medal. In 1964, it was replaced by the General Service Medal 1962.

Description

The General Service Medal 1918-62 is silver in colour and circular in shape.  Due to its long-time usage, six different effigies of the reigning monarch have been featured on the obverse. The reverse bears the standing winged figure of Victory in a Corinthian helmet and carrying a trident, bestowing a wreath on the emblems of the Army (the sword) and the RAF (the wings). 

The ribbon has central dark green stripe flanked on either side by purple stripes.

The medal is always issued with a clasp denoting the area or purpose of operations. Subsequent service was recognised with additional clasps. A total of eighteen clasps were awarded with this medal:

  • S. Persia
  • Kurdistan
  • Iraq
  • N.W. Persia
  • Southern Desert Iraq
  • Northern Kurdistan
  • Palestine
  • SE Asia 1945-46
  • Bomb and Mine Clearance (1945-1949, 1945-1956)
  • Palestine 1945-48
  • Berlin Airlift
  • Malaya 
  • Canal Zone
  • Cyprus
  • Near East
  • Arabian Peninsula
  • Brunei

Only one clasp  was awarded to New Zealand military personnel in large numbers: the clasp 'Malaya', which recognised service by New Zealand Army and Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel in the Malayan Emergency of 1948 to 31 July 1960. The clasp 'Malaya' recognises service in Malaya between 16 June 1948 and 31 July 1960, and service in Singapore between 16 June 1948 and 31 January 1959. 

Two other clasps were awarded in small numbers to New Zealand military personnel: the clasp 'SE Asia 1945-46'; and the clasp 'Brunei'.

Eligibility

Individuals who served in specified land and air operations between 1918 and 1962. Eligibility criteria varied for each operation.

For further information:

The Naval General Service and the General Service Medal for service in parts of Southeast Asia Command after 2 September 1945, Minesweeping Service after the termination of hostilities on 8 May and 2 September 1945, Mentions in Despatches, King's Commendations, issued February 1947 (PDF, 168 KB)

Queries & requests

  • Wearing this medal

    The General Service Medal 1918-62 is worn as a campaign medal in the New Zealand Order of Wear.  Campaign medals are worn in order of date of participation in the campaign, operation, or peacekeeping mission for which the medal was awarded.  This includes United Nations, NATO mission, and European Union mission medals.  As a result, different individuals may mount their medals in different orders depending on the time served in theatre.

    For more information on how to wear and care for honours, medals, and awards:

  • Applying for this medal

    NZDF Personnel Archives and Medals (PAM) issues war, operational and service medals to current and former NZDF members.

    If you or someone you know may be eligible, you can apply through our application page.

    Apply for unclaimed medals

  • Checking if this medal was issued

    Honours, medals, and awards bestowed on an individual for service in the New Zealand Armed Forces are recorded in their individual service record.  NZDF Personnel Archives and Medals holds a collection of about 1.5 million service records relating to 420,000 New Zealand service personnel who served in New Zealand’s Military Forces after the First World War.

    Service records are not currently digitised, but we can locate it and find the information you might be looking for or help you book a time for you to see the records in Trentham by completing the form on the Service Record page. 

    Request a service record

  • Related questions and medals
    Why do some ex-Army soldiers receive a British General Service Medal for their service in Malaya in the 1950s and 1960s and others receive a New Zealand General Service Medal?

    Campaign medals for service in Malaya and Singapore are awarded based on the dates of the different types, phases, and locations of operational service undertaken by British Commonwealth and/or New Zealand military personnel. They are not awarded based on the deployment dates of specific New Zealand units.

    In 1950, the British Government instituted the General Service Medal (1918-62) with clasp 'Malaya' for Army and Air Force service in the Malayan Emergency. The British Government later determined that the end date for land-based service in Malaya qualifying for this medal would be 31 July 1960.

    In 1967, the British Government instituted the General Service Medal (1962) with clasp 'Malay Peninsula' to recognise Confrontation-related military service on land in the Malay Peninsula or Singapore between 17 August 1964 and 12 June 1965. There were different dates for service at sea.

    Until 1997, those New Zealand military personnel who had only served in Malaya between 1 August 1960 and 16 August 1964 received no medallic recognition for their service.  However, in the mid-1990s, the New Zealand Government reviewed claims for medallic recognition from NZ military personnel who had served in Malaya in the period 1 August 1960 and 16 August 1964. As a result of this review, the New Zealand Government created the New Zealand General Service Medal 1992 with clasp 'Malaya 1960-64' to recognise specified service during this time period. Those who had only served in the south (e.g. Terendak) or centre of Malaya or in Singapore are not eligible for this medal.

    For further information: